Support for Queensland seniors returns in 2024
Published Tuesday, 27 February, 2024 at 03:50 PM
Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Charis Mullen
- Popular Seniors Expos and Seniors Savings Pop-Ups will return in 2024 to provide information and support for older Queenslanders about how to access up to $1.8 billion in concessions
- The events provide information on the wide range of concessions and savings available to seniors to help ease cost-of-living pressures
- Since 2021, more than 16,000 seniors have attended one of the events
Older Queenslanders are invited to join the more than 16,000 people who have already attended a Seniors Expo or Seniors Savings Pop-up in the past three years to find out more about available concessions that can help ease the cost of living.
The Queensland Government concessions for older people include:
- $1,072 off power, through the $700 cost-of-living energy rebate in 2023-24 for pensioners, veterans, seniors card holders and other vulnerable households, in addition to their existing annual $372 rebate.
- up to 50 per cent off Translink bus, train and ferry services.
- up to 50 per cent off vehicle registration for pensioners, seniors and veterans, reducing registration from $360.60 to $180.30 for a 4-cylinder vehicle.
- $479 Medical Cooling and Heating Electricity Concession Scheme for eligible concession card holders.
- Free glasses every two years under the Spectacle Supply Scheme.
The Queensland Government today hosted the first Seniors Expo for 2024 at the Logan Diggers Services Club.
In addition to sharing information on potential savings, the expos also give seniors advice on how to stay safe at home and in the community and provide an opportunity for older people to connect with local services and programs that support them.
Seniors Savings pop-up events also return in 2024 – starting at Westfield centres at:
- Westfield Northlakes on Monday 11 March
- Westfield Chermside on Tuesday 12 March
- Westfield Garden City on Wednesday 13 March
- Westfield Carindale on Thursday 14 March
- Westfield Coomera on Friday 15 March.
These pop-up events enable older people to meet face-to-face with a Queensland Government cards and concessions specialist.
The expos and pop-up events support seniors to sign up for a Queensland Seniors Card and get access to information on other savings, concessions and rebates.
Last year, 12 Seniors Expos were held across the state from Toowoomba to Thursday Island. There were also 16 Seniors Savings Pop-Ups in places like Gympie, Caboolture, throughout Western Queensland and at the Brisbane EKKA.
More Expos and Seniors savings pop-ups are scheduled in 2024.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Seniors Charis Mullen:
“We know many seniors are feeling the increased cost of living,” she said.
“These expos and pop-ups focus on what seniors can receive from the government to ease some of those pressures.
“They’re an opportunity to hear first-hand from seniors about what is important to them and to make sure they know about concessions available to them.
“Seniors can save money on a range of goods and services, including electricity, medical aids, public transport and vehicle registration.
“The need for these expos and pop-ups has never been greater, and I encourage older Queenslanders to find one near them to make sure they’re accessing all the rebates, services and supports they are entitled to.
“We are continuing these events because older people have told us they like to have choices in how they access information. While we know they are digitally savvy, older people have told us they like to have the option to access information online, over the phone and through face-to-face contact.”
Further information:
- For further information, including dates and locations of upcoming events, visit Seniors event calendar | Seniors | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au).
ENDS
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